LMS Route: Nuneaton to Birmingham New Street

LMS Route: Birmingham New Street to Tamworth

Saltley Shed: mrsalt1962

A panoramic view of Saltley shed, with its coaling tower on the left and motive power on the right, on a Sunday morning in May 1962. Saltley shed was the Midland's busiest depot after Derby. On any Sunday, there could be over one hundred and thirty steam locomotives on shed. In 1961-62, it was still very much a 'Midland Railway' shed. There was little evidence of locos from the 'North Western' and it was unusual to see ex-GWR locomotives. Ex-MR 3F 0-6-0s and 4F 0-6-0s were the backbone of local services. Stanier's modified LMS Fowler 2-6-4T locos were active on the Redditch services, whilst Stanier's own version of the 2-6-4Ts were stored on back roads. Aside from Class 08 shunters, the only diesels that visited were Class 45 Peaks. Occasionally, one would see a V2 2-6-2 visitor from Newcastle on the Eastern Region – these were viewed with trepidation. The Royal Scot, visible in this photo, was passing through on transfer to Carlisle via Leeds, we were told. There were three sheds – with 55 foot turntables, No 1 and No 2 sheds were for smaller locos; with larger locomotives such as BR Standard Class 9F 2-10-0s inhabiting No 3 shed.

Trevor Bennett

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